“This dream I, King Nebuchadnezzar, saw. And you, O Belteshazzar, tell me the interpretation, because all the wise men of my kingdom are not able to make known to me the interpretation, but you are able, for the spirit of the holy gods is in you.” Then Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar, was dismayed for a while, and his thoughts alarmed him. The king answered and said, “Belteshazzar, let not the dream or the interpretation alarm you.”Belteshazzar answered and said, “My lord, may the dream be for those who hate you and its interpretation for your enemies!” Daniel 4:18-22
The more you get to know God the more you see His love for mankind. Unbelievers read this vision, sent by God, and criticize
Him for His harshness. Yet the greatest love one can show to another for another is telling them the truth. We see this in the ministry of Christ who so loved mankind He told them the truth about their sin, about God’s holiness and about knowing the living and true God. Watching people reject the love of God and take upon themselves the wrath of God for their sin caused our Savior to weep. We see that same heart in Daniel. Like the Lord, he wants to see people know God. This is a lesson we need to learn in the anti-God age we live in.
This dream I, King Nebuchadnezzar, saw. Remember this is a decree the king sends out to his entire kingdom. He testifies to the truth of what has been recorded. This is the vision God sent him.
And you, O Belteshazzar, tell me the interpretation The king calls for his trusted servant. Why he did not do this at first we do not know but God allowed the king to come to the realization that no one could help him but the man of God. He asks Daniel to explain to him what God is saying.
Because all the wise men of my kingdom are not able to make known to me the interpretation The king tells Daniel the wisdom of this world cannot help his anxiety. He wanted truth but he got silence in return.
But you are able, for the spirit of the holy gods is in you The king knows there is something different about Daniel. Daniel has consistently told him the truth. Daniel has taken no credit for what
he has accomplished, he has given God all the glory. That focuses the king exactly where he needs tofocus – on God. (Notice in Daniel’s life he never takes the credit that belongs to God.)
Then Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar was dismayed for a while, and his thoughts alarmed him. Daniel hears the king’s dream and he is visibly shaken. The word dismayed means astonished or appalled. The word dismayed means alarmed. He is in this state for a period of time, possibly an hour. Like Job’s friends at the beginning, Daniel sat is silence, grieving over the tragedy that has been described to him. (Remember the Lord grieving over Jerusalem as it rejected its Messiah?)
The king answered and said, “Belteshazzar, let not the dream or the interpretation alarm you.” Finally the king speaks. Whatever it is, he must know. Therefore he tells Daniel not to be dismayed or alarmed, just tell him the truth. (Telling the truth can mean giving tough messages.)
Belteshazzar answered and said, “My lord, may the dream be for those who hate you and its interpretation for your enemies”. Daniel shows us his heart of love in presenting the coming judgment to an unbeliever. He does not lecture the king on his wicked ways or
tell him that he deserves what is coming. Daniel loves this king and wants to see him right with God. What Daniel must tell him, he wishes were for another. He cannot bear the thought of one he cares for facing the wrath of God. (Can we?) But we also see the love of God
for King Nebuchadnezzar. God does not want the king to depart this earth into a godless eternity and so he sends him a message of truth but out of love. This is exactly what God calls us to do today. Be different from the world but love people so much they will ask us the truth about God.